How to turn on bluetooth on a laptop

Bluetooth is perhaps the most convenient way to wirelessly transfer data. Especially if there is no way to access the Internet. Moreover, in addition to sending files in this way, you can connect the necessary devices (mouse, speakers, etc.) to the laptop. The only thing left to do is figure out how to use this magical function?

Turn on Bluetooth on your computer

First, you need to make sure that your laptop supports Bluetooth. For this purpose, you can read the documentation included with the device, or, if it is missing, go to the official support site.

Important! Sometimes manufacturers place Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules in one device. In this case, if it fails, it is impossible to establish communication through any of the mentioned channels.

If everything is fine with the adapter, then it’s worth understanding what operating system is installed on your laptop. Do you know? Then skip straight to the point you need!

If your OS is Windows 7. The first step is always to launch the Control Panel. Further, the connection process can occur in two ways.

Method 1:

• left-click to open “Network and Sharing Center”;
• then click on “Change adapter settings” (located in the lower left list);
• Right-click “Bluetooth Network Connection”, then “Properties”;
• in the window that opens, left-click on “Bluetooth” and activate the transfer option using the switch of the same name.

Method 2:

• Left-click on “Devices and Printers”;
• right-click - “Bluetooth Adapter”, and in the drop-down list - “Bluetooth Settings”;
• set the parameters as you wish.

Windows 7 also provides an even easier way to activate a wireless network. In the system tray (lower right corner) just find the Bluetooth icon and right-click on it and click “On.” or "On".

If your OS is Windows 8. In Windows 8, everything is still simpler than in 7. You need to go to the sidebar (press the “Win” + “C” keys on your keyboard). Click the gear icon there (“Options”), then select “Bluetooth” and move the slider responsible for activating it to “On”.

Important! Simply turning on wireless data is not enough. For correct operation, you must also add the paired device to the list of allowed devices.

If your OS is Windows 10. This version takes into account all the problems of the previous ones: there is both an accessible control panel and a sidebar.

The easiest way to turn on Bluetooth is by clicking on the side panel (located in the lower right corner). Then you just need to click on “Bluetooth”, thereby activating it.

You can also use the following path: “Start” - “Settings” - “Devices” - “Bluetooth and other devices” - slide the slider to the “On” position. Or use methods identical to those discussed in the “Windows 7” section.

Why doesn't Bluetooth turn on?

Unfortunately (especially in the latest operating systems), due to incorrect computer settings, incorrectly installed drivers and some similar reasons, you may encounter a problem when Bluetooth does not work on your computer.

Have you followed all the instructions above successfully, but the technology is still not active? Let's figure out what else can be done in such a situation.

Problems with Bluetooth may be due to the fact that the adapter is physically disconnected or the device is set to “inactive” in software. To check for an active adapter, just open Device Manager:

• On the keyboard, press “Win” and “R” at the same time;
• in the line of the “Run” window that opens, type “devmgmt.msc” and press the “Ok” key;
• In the window that opens, find “Bluetooth” in the list.

If there is a yellow icon with an exclamation mark next to the device name, there is a problem with installing the necessary drivers. Typically, after a failure during an update, you may find that bluetooth has stopped working. It is better to get the necessary drivers from the official support site for your particular (or closest to it) laptop model. In this case, it is worth clarifying the OS version and the bit depth used.

If there is a down arrow next to the name in the manager, then the device is simply disabled at the moment. To enable it, just right-click on the line with the name and select “Enable” in the window that opens.

To check for adapter availability in BIOS:

• When you turn on the computer, go into the BIOS.
• Open the “Advanced” (or “System Configuration”) tab.
• Check the status of all items where “Bluetooth”, “Wireless” or “WLAN” appears. Set the value “Enabled” next to each such item.

If everything is in order in the issues discussed, but the data transfer tool is still not active, you can check the “Windows Service Control Tool”. To open the window of this tool you need to:

On your keyboard, press “Win” and “R” at the same time. In the “Run” window that opens, type “services.msc” and press the “OK” key.

The Services window will open. Here you need to find the Bluetooth support service and, based on its status, make sure that it is functioning.

Important! Sometimes the problem can be solved in an even simpler way: check if Airplane mode is turned off.

It is possible that a key was accidentally pressed on the keyboard that activates this function. If airplane mode is disabled, but Bluetooth is still not active, check its status in the “Wireless devices” section (“Start” - “Settings” - “Network and Internet” - “Airplane mode”), or: “Settings” - “ Devices" - "Bluetooth".

Among other things, for correct pairing, you need to check that the desired device is within Bluetooth range. After all, if the connected gadget is located at a distance greater than that specified in the documentation, then the computer will not be able to “see” it. You also need to make sure that there is no device connected to the USB 3.0 port nearby. Unshielded USB devices can sometimes interfere with Bluetooth connections.

Also, it would be useful to see that the “Allow device connection” property is active in the settings. To check, go to the “Control Panel”. In the “Devices and Printers” section, on the “Devices” tab, find the computer image and right-click on it. Next, find “Bluetooth Settings” in the drop-down list and check the “Allow Bluetooth devices to detect this computer” checkbox.

We are sure that now connecting Bluetooth will not be a big problem for you!